Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-12
SIxrY-r1yE YEARS MINISTER OF THE U. B.
CHURCH.

Weare sorry to announce the death OF Bishop
John Jacob Glossbrenner, senior Bishop OF the
United Brethren Church. which occurred at u
O'Clock last Friday morning, the It'll instant,
at his residence in Churchville in this county,
eight miles west of Sraunton. This able,
modest, and faithful minister, in his long ana
laborious life in the cause of christianity, and
in support of the church, of which he was SO
distinguished minister, did more, we suppose,
than any other single individual to give
strength, numbers, responsibility and pop
ularity to 1t. He was not only highly esteemed
and beloved, as he richly deserved, by the
members of his church, but by all who knew
him of whatever faith either in politics or re-
ligion. His death creates void that IL Will De
difficult TO fill. He was born at Hagerstown'
Nd, on the oath of July, 1913. and was, there
fore, at the time of his death-Jan. 9TH, 1881
aged IA years. S months, and ID days.
For the past three years, he had been in i'll
health, yet the announcements Of his death was
unexpected. and created a shock of surprise as
well as sorrow. He lost the beloved partner OF
his bosom about two years ago.
He became member of the U. B. Church in
his youth, and entered upon the duties of the
active ministry at the early age of nineteen
q faithful and devoted soldier of the cross.
In 1888. he was married to Miss Maria NJ.
Shuey of this county, who died few years
since as above stated.
In 1916, he was elected bishop, and continued
in that office as enc of its most popular execu-
tive officers, although by their polity an cleo
ton is held every fourth year, until the general
conference In May, 1885. when he was made
Bishop emeritus. For sixty-f1ve years he has
been actively identified with the work of his
church, for although he was retired two years
ago, he did not cease his labors and often re-
GREETED that he could not answer all the calls
made upon him from various parts OF the
church for his services on special OCCASIONS
He inaugurated and pushed forward some OF
the most important church measures, and lived
to see much of the fruits Of his ministry In a
growing church. He was noted for his amia-
bile qualities, clear judgment and earnest devo-
tion to the church. He was an excellent preach
GER, often eloquent, and those who heard him
once always wanted to hear him again. Fol
four years. 1858 to 1872, he was stationedn Balti'
more, his district extending from Tennessee up
Into Canada. During one term he presided over
the district west of the Mississippi, during
which time he was compelled to make con-
tinueus stage ride through the Territories, at
one time of over 500 miles. He leaves three
daughters, one of whom is the wife of Capt. Fl.
n. Hanger, Churchville, Va, another married
the Rev. Prof. L. A. Fox of Roanoke College,
Va, and the other is the wife of Rev. ]. H
Turner, principal of Lutherville Seminary,
Md, the oldest daughter and wife of Rev. Prof
w. B. Youce, of Roanoke College, Va, having
died some years ago.
THE oBsEoUIEs.
I It having been announced that the funeral
ceremonies of Bishop Glossbrenner would take
place on the 18th, very large coDcourse of peo-
pie assembled at an early hour at Churchville.
There were many persons from Staunton Qn-
Guiding representatives OF the three newspa-
pers) as well as from other parts OF the county.
The church could not hold all who were pres
'ent. Every seat, the aisles, and every space
either for sitting standing room, was occu-
pied. and many had to stand without who
could not gain entrance to the church.
From Ohio, Maryland, and many distant Sec
tions of country ministers of the church were
in attendance, among whom were the follow
ing fl ON other States: Bishop J. Weaver, and
Rev. ]. w. Holt, DID,, of Dayton. Ohio; Revs.
]. l.. Grimm, A. Nj. Evers and G. W. Stein
spring. Of Maryland and Rev. ]. 8. Grener,
OF Iowa; and Revs. =. K. WiEe, pastor of the
Church at Churchville; Revs. A. L. Horn, S.
Hammock, of Augusta; also Revs. R. G. Walk
er and ]. n. FL. Winfree, Presbyterian minis
ters-the last named, pastor at Churchville.
At the pretty cottage home Of the deceased
Bishop, where also resides his son-in-law
Captain H. H. Hanger, the body was lying in
the casket with the covering to the glass re-
moved, Mr.. E. B. Bare, the Churchville Under
Maker, in charge. Scores of friends and neigh
1fl, ofta ndad to ,dar n
last tribute of respect to the eminent deceased
filed through the room for that purpose. The
features were serenely composed and express
sive in death, as they were truly SO in life, OF
the Holy man of the Church and of every good
work. The casket was highly finished in rich.
IL grained walnut panels and black fringes
The mountngs were of silver-richly orna.
menting 1t. The decoration was simply o
small sheaf of wheat bound with evergreen
band, which was laid upon 1t in the church
during the services there. The silver plate
upon the casket bore this inscription 4 "Bless
ed are the dead, who die in the Lord" The
first four words were in one line of German
text, and the remainder in another line O.
Gothic condensed letters.
At the church near by the large congregation
was assembling at the same time-Mr. William
Houseman, principal usher, seating all who
could be accommodated. At II O'Clock, the
solemn notes of the church bell were heard
through the stiffness of the cold morning all
without. and the mournful cortege moved from
the residence to the sanctuary preceded by
Bishop Weaver and Rev. DR.. Holt. The pail
bearers were of the ministers already named
as follows Revs. A. M. Evers, G. w. Stein.
spring. J. L. Grimm, A. L. Horn, S. Eammack
j. II. Fl. Winfree, j Greiner, and S. X. Wine
This was in accordance with the expressed
wish of the deceased that those who should
bear him to his grave should be ministers O
the gospel. Passing up the centre aisle the
casket was placed in front of the pulpit, anG
the family and their immediate friends were
seated, as were the pall-bearers, on the from
seats reserved for the purpose. The mourning
sdrapery over and about the pulpit, and also
in other parts of the church, lent solemn ty Il
the scene, whilst deep silence pervaded thu
assemblage, and the hymn commencing
OF would not live Away" was sung by tn,
choir.
Rev. DR.. Holt then read the burial servic,
selections from the Scriptures, when the
Hymn commencing, Servant of God, vel
done,n was sung; after which the same min
lister led in deeply impressive prayer. 1t wa
q presentation Of the circumstances, unde
shadow of great sorrow never before realizes
by the church, now called to bury its first Bis
hop and honored head-the father In tn
church whose good life was known and appre
ciated throughout its entire boundary. Invokin
blessings upon the bereaved. the church. an
all, including those from distant parts of th
country present, weeping over their great loss
we're but few of the sentiments of the solemn
uttarances of the minister
Then followed another Hymn sung in pathet
uc strain commencing, ASLEEP in Jesus"
Bishop Weaver then arose, and his tall spar
form and striking features, his long gray hal
brushed back giving clear view of his prom
inent sharply chiseled features, and lare
penetrating blue eyes, his flowing whit
beard and slow utterances impressed the at
dlence with patriarchal ideas of the person
the Bishop next in age and in service OF til
church, and who was ordained by Bisho
Glossbrenner more than forty years ago int
tbs sacred Office, He commenced by sayin,
Twill read as a motto a single sentence frol
the 25th verse of the 2lst chapter of Revelatior
sfor there shall be no night there" Then h
continued, John Jacob Glossbrenner was Dor
T,,1x, ;